4 Ways Recognition Can Have a Positive Impact on Employees

There’s a lot going on in our world today and I don’t think anyone could say it’s easy to deal with. Employees in every segment of our workforce, including educators, are being challenged in ways no one could have foreseen. Plain and simple, there’s a lot of negativity out there. For this, among other reasons, it’s critical that we identify ways to encourage, engage and boost morale of our employees. A structured recognition program could be your answer. Here are four ways recognition can have a positive impact.

 1. Hold On To Your Employees: One analyst has documented that employers who offer a recognition program, retain employees 31% more than those without. Gallup shares that if an employee is not recognized, he or she is much more likely to leave within or after one year of employment.

2. Engage Employees: Several studies show that a recognized employee is an engaged employee. Not only are they engaged but they continue to look for opportunities to shine in their workspace. Do you have a way to measure employee engagement?

 3. Boost Moral: This one is an easy one. A high percentage of employees simply don’t feel appreciated. You can turn this around by saying “thank you“. It really doesn’t take much more than that.

 4. Encourage Peer Recognition: Believe it or not, peer recognition outweighs top-down recognition. Employees know that their work is most visible to their peers. When a coworker recognizes a job well done, especially in a public setting, it can have major impact on an employee. In some organizations this requires effort to change the culture. Typically, peer recognition is reciprocated. The more it is encouraged, the more it will happen. When employees feel truly appreciated, they have more self-worth and become more productive employees.

Whether you are a superintendent, a principal, a department supervisor or in any other leadership capacity, step back and look at your employees. How are they doing? As leaders, it’s your responsibility to create a healthy workplace. Positive recognition is one way you can do that.